With the family going out with friends on Friday and most of the day to myself, I decided to have a few hours dipping at Westbere to see what I could find, study and possibly photograph. However, this time I decided to take along my tank with me and set it up next to where I was dipping. I don't normally do this but thought it would be a good test to see how it and I fared with the conditions. All being well, I hope to take it along with me to find and photograph nymphs that I do not get in east Kent. I eventually arrived on site with all the equipment and set up the tank, water, leaves and the background colour as well as the tripod and camera in position. I spent the next few hours walking a few hundred yards either side of the tank and managed to find a few Hairy Dragonfly nymphs as well as Variable and Azure Damselfly nymphs. I was going through the net on one occasion when I noticed another hawker type nymph in the net. I started to panic thinking it was a Norfolk Hawker nymph and knowing they are a protected species, was a bit unsure on whether I could photograph it. I started looking through a few photos on the internet and consulting a book I had with me and finally come to the conclusion that it was a Migrant Hawker nymph. The points leading me to this were the shortish mask, the lateral spine on S9 reaching beyond the middle of S10, the Cerci about half the length of the paraprocts and the shape of the epiproct which is quite distinctive when you know what you are looking for. I have never photographed one of these before as a nymph so was quite excited about my find. I introduced it to the tank and after a few changes of settings etc, started firing off a few shots.
Migrant Hawker Nymph - female (25mm)
Showing the Tip Shape of the Epiproct
I attracted a few passers by who were interested in what I was doing and I made the most of educating them about the nymphs. I was quite pleased with the photos but have had to do a bit of work on them to remove air bubbles, marks etc that I could not really help given the time I had to set up the tank. I also took a number of photos of the nymph in the white collection tray which show off the details quite well and I will hopefully publish these in due coarse. A really good experience with lots learnt about the set up and one that I will definitely try again. I may even have another away day at Thursley Common this year with the tank to find and photograph a few species that I have not photographed yet or that do not appear in Kent.
Migrant Hawker Nymph - female (25mm)
Wow, you have passed the day without the family! Wonderful Hawker Marc, in fact, the best.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Bob. Nice to add this to my 'photographed nymphs ' folder.
DeleteSo much detail! The eyes are fantastic.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Wilma. Thats part of the challenge is to bring as much detail as possible to the shots. A challenge well persevering for though.
DeleteI wish i had known Marc. Although i live in the North East i visit my son in Kent frequently & was down for half term to see grandchildren. I did however have a day out birding & was just along the road at Stodmarsh from 05.30 'till around 12....and i would loved to have popped along. I did by way of commiseration have an adult male Hen Harrier coming out of roost !! Anyway, obviously very tricky setting up as you mentioned having perfected techniques in the "controlled environment" at home. Results are still excellent. Interested to hear that the Norfolk Hawker is protected ....watch out you don't get any Great-crested Newts mind !!! LOL
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Johnny. Any day you see a male Hen Harrier is a good day. It was a challenge with all the equipment but like an artist, I set up and put my mind to the challenge. The Norfolk Hawker is one of 2 species I believe which are protected in this country, the other being the Southern Damselfly.
DeleteThe results are fabulous Marc. Great to now have a portable studio!!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Bob. It was nice to try it out in the field but with so much extra stuff to also carry, I don't think I will be doing this often.
DeleteAbsolutely amazing shots, Marc! They're even more remarkable for having been taken whilst out in the field.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Richard. Now I have had time to reflect on the session, despite all the equipment needed, I am more than pleased with how how come out. Quite a bit of work though in photoshop to remove air bubbles etc but it was worth it for them.
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